Cation exchange-based facile aqueous synthesis of small, stable, and nontoxic near-infrared Ag₂Te/ZnS core/shell quantum dots emitting in the second biological window.

Facile aqueous synthesis of near-infrared Ag(2)Te quantum dots (QDs) and Ag(2)Te/ZnS core/shell QDs emitting in the second biological window is reported. The QD synthesis is based on a straightforward cation exchange process between CdTe QDs and Ag(+) ions conducted in aqueous solution. The prepared Ag(2)Te QDs possess near-infrared emission ranging from 900 to 1300 nm and a quantum yield up to 2.1%. A ZnS shell was grown on the Ag(2)Te QD to further enhance the photoluminescence intensity with a quantum yield of 5.6%. These Ag(2)Te/ZnS core/shell QDs possess robust colloidal stability and photostability with minimum photoluminescence fluctuation upon incubation for 72 h in biological buffer or continuous laser excitation for 120 min. Also, These QDs possess small hydrodynamic size (∼7.6 nm) and are non-cytotoxic to human cells, which is ideal for optical bioimaging in the second biological window.